Summer 2022 - EDUC 857 G031
Issues and Topics in Environmental Education (5)
Class Number: 3266
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Location: TBA
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Instructor:
David Zandvliet
dbz@sfu.ca
778.782.5680 or 604.219.0362
Office: SRYC 5288
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Prerequisites:
Consent of the instructor.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Examines the origins of environmental education, the range of program offerings, and the educational concepts which appear to underlie them.
COURSE DETAILS:
| Meeting Dates: | May 06, 07 and 08; June 17, 18 and 19; July 25-29 |
| Times: | Fridays: 4:30pm – 8:30pm Saturdays: 8:30am – 4:30pm Sundays: 8:30am – 4:30pm + July extended field experience on Vancouver Island |
| Location: | Various locations (see detailed course schedule) |
Course Details:
This course will be of interest to educators interested in environmental or ecological education as it applies to both school-based and informal learning environments. As the course lends itself to a multidisciplinary approach, it is appropriate for educators of all subjects and grade levels and to informal educators of various persuasions.
Calendar Description:
The course will explore a variety of different conceptual frameworks and societal perspectives on the environment and
address a range of global issues in this regard. A general goal of the course is in reconnecting individuals with the
natural and technological environments that sustain them in an emerging post-industrial society. Course activities will
include laboratory and research sessions, seminars on important global environmental issues and independent
opportunities for student lead research and guided inquiry both campus-based (Surrey) and to other field locations in the
Georgia Basin region. Throughout the course, students will consider multiple perspectives on the goals, values and
interdisciplinary nature of environmental education and obtain grounding in models for learning and teaching
environmental topics in both school-based and informal settings. Specifically, we will consider education ‘for’, ‘in’ and
‘about’ the environment and apply this knowledge to educational settings.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
The coursework aims to develop students’ knowledge or abilities, specifically:
- To develop a theoretical rationale and conceptual structure for environmental education/learning as it applies to a
variety of school based and informal learning environments - To review and evaluate environmental topics in provincial curriculum and locally developed curriculum materials
- To consider a variety of teaching models/strategies for environmental education (eg. teaching-learning cycle,
sensory awareness, creative drama, role-playing, simulation, critical thinking, individual case studies, and concept
mapping) - To develop an understanding of scientific inquiry (eg. observing, inferring, predicting, classifying, measuring and
recording) - To learn concepts important to an understanding of natural and urban environments (eg. product life cycles, food
cycles, water treatment, air quality, land use planning, role of parks / ecological reserves, etc.) - To develop an understanding of environmental concepts as they apply to global issues (eg. human ecology,
sustainability, recreation, pollution, conservation, resource management, and other impacts such as climate change,
consumerism, transportation issues, etc.).
Grading
- Field Notebook and/or Reflective Journal 10%
- Portfolio Presentation (written and oral) 30%
- Analysis and Presentation of an Environmental Issue 30%
- Analysis and Summary of a Professional Journal Article 30%
NOTES:
The course is arranged on a varied and flexible schedule – this will allow for a series of intense immersive experiences
early in the course, followed by more time for individual reflection, research and writing towards the latter part of the
course. During the field experiences you will be expected to participate in a continuing academic discourse regarding
conceptual issues in EE – attendance and participation is a requirement.
REQUIREMENTS:
Students must attend all classes and complete all assignments.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Access to a computer and Internet connection, notebook or journal, outdoor gear and some basic camping supplies.
REQUIRED READING:
A variety of readings will be selected from the research literature, selected journals and government publications.
These will made available at the first class (and as needed).
RECOMMENDED READING:
Students will also need to familiarize themselves with the BC EE framework:
Province of British Columbia (2007), Environmental Learning and Experience: An Interdisciplinary Guide for Educators.
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2022
Teaching at SFU in summer 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction. Some courses may be offered through alternative methods (remote, online, blended), and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.
Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required. You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote, online, or blended courses study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the summer 2022 term.